Close Reading

English and French colonization had a devastating and intentional impact on the Indigenous languages of Canada, leading to the severe endangerment and, in some cases, extinction of many languages. This was achieved through explicit colonial policies aimed at cultural assimilation and the suppression of Indigenous identities.  Key Impacts of Colonization Forced Assimilation via Residential Schools: The most significant factor in language loss was the government-funded, church-run residential school system, which operated from the 19th century to the late 20th century. Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and communities and sent to these schools. Punishment for Speaking Native Tongues: In the schools, children were forbidden to speak their Indigenous languages and were often subjected to severe physical, emotional, and sexual abuse if they did. Intergenerational Trauma and Knowledge Loss: The experience in residential schools caused profound trauma. Survivors often did not teach their children their traditional languages, partly out of fear of punishment and partly because their own fluency had been impacted, which inhibited the languages from being passed to the next generation. Discriminatory Legislation: The Indian Act: This legislation, along with other colonial policies, was used to suppress Indigenous cultural expression, including language. Official Languages Act: Canada's official language policies recognize only English and French as dominant languages, effectively marginalizing the over 60 distinct Indigenous languages that existed on the land long before European settlement. Dispossession of Land: Forcible removal of Indigenous communities from their traditional lands and onto reserves disrupted the deep connection between language, culture, and the natural environment. Indigenous languages often encode unique knowledge about local ecosystems, which was lost when communities were displaced. Social Stigmatization: Colonial ideologies viewed Indigenous cultures and languages as "inferior" or "savage," promoting English and French as the languages of "modernity" and "progress". This created a social hierarchy where speaking an Indigenous language could be a barrier to education and employment opportunities in the dominant society.  Current Situation and Revitalization Efforts The legacy of these policies has resulted in low numbers of fluent Indigenous language speakers today, with many languages considered endangered or critically endangered. However, there are significant ongoing efforts toward language revitalization.  The Canadian federal government passed the Indigenous Languages Act in 2019, which aims to support the efforts of Indigenous peoples to reclaim, revitalize, maintain, and strengthen their languages. Indigenous communities, educational institutions, and organizations are actively working to preserve languages through immersion programs, community initiatives, and documentation. UNESCO has declared 2022 to 2032 the International Decade of Indigenous Languages to draw global attention to the urgent need for preservation and promotion.

Let's be real, about this nation called Canada where real native canadians were "First Nations, Metis & Inuit" they were the ones as Indigenious people who inhabited canada for thousand of years ago & later demographic shift could later be seen during 16th century from European colonization where majority of french and british invaded with consistent colonization & took control of the land, these settlers, along with later European immigrants, seized indigenous land, displaced indigenous communities, and brought diseases that decimated native populations. Long story short now, based on 2021 census data shows native canadian population make up to only 5% of total Canadian population whereas the rest remaining are non-indigenous people of Canada at above 90% are foreign invaders from 16th century who came as an opportunist and occupied everything; same as Indian they came took the opportunity by working hard, contributing to the nation yet, you people here crying, complaining & bragging abt these & that abt Indian's bt let's not forget "Europeans" are the ones who did the dirtiest things characterized by forced assimilation, abusive residential school system, and loss of land. Please explain this from a liberal perspective, how was it fair for Indigenous people of Canada?? compared to Indian Standards.

As an Indigenous Canadian, these folk are just doing the jobs that privileged white people don’t want to do. Who’s at the unemployment offices, on the streets, in our jails…. white people!

I'm a proud Canadian Immigrant of Indian origin. I came here to do specialized studies in Game Development. I took my time, and studied 6 years as an international student, paying 3x the tuition, sank $200,000 of hard earned money into the Canadian Education system — Not as a fast track gimmick to immigrate, but so I could achieve my dream as a Game Developer. This money was family income, earned on 1/4th the salary, taking 4x longer to save. I was a great privileged to me. Today 15 years later, no one would ever think I'm from India. I sound Canadian, I behave Canadian, I have Canadian values, and I am Canadian. I came here because I loved Canada. I would watch hours upon hours of indigenous history, and on my Citizenship day, I watched Juno Beach to celebrate. However I must say this... I suffered through s*icidal depression here for 8 years, because I had far less leverage here than in a developing country, and it's really telling what sort of situation we're all in... Rent caps in Canada were removed... The housing market was open to foreign investors / and real estate monopolies with a 20% year-on-year rise... Rents went from 1000$ to 2100$ MINIMUM for a 1 bedroom through Trudeau's term and the govt said "It's not a federal responsibility"... Auto insurance is like 2.5-3.5k a year in Ontario and if you get a dent, you pay a deductable... I was quoted 8500$ for two wisdom teeth surgeries while it costed me 260$ abroad... During Covid - property owners, banks, and grocery stores exploited our misery and made record profits!... The govt stopped filtering through it's immigrants with "interviews", and it's operating like a scam — "Bring all your foreign money, convert it to CAD, and keep our GDP stable.. while we neither have the infrastructure, nor the job market to support these numbers". I think some accountability is due... these issues are "symptoms", not the problem — The problem is our Liberal govt / policies, and our wonderful voting body who voted Liberal term after term after term while complaining. Why does this govt safeguard extremism, foreign politics, foreign separatism? Khalistanis are as much of a threat / nuance to India than it is to Canada, but in Canada they actually have a unrestricted platform. Instead of resenting immigrants, we need to start resenting how mismanaged Canada is by our govt, and hold our voting body accountable. We had a chance to vote differently, but once again a repackaged and rebranded Liberal term. Because my ethnicity is Indian, I've become an object of collective resentment / hatred, and I don't think that's fair.. Please direct it at your vote, and govt level policies. Why should I (and other's like me) be crucified with the sins of other immigrants? It's like hating all your neighbors in a burning building, when the management has been lighting the fire.

I am so happy people are starting to speak up. Sadly, I am changing. I am becoming angry. Angry at immigrants and the system. Am I becoming racist? Or just so lost at how things seem so wrong. My main upset is for my teen son. Turned 16 after Christmas. So excited about looking for a part-time job, earning some money, getting experiences and (unbeknownst to him ) expanding his social circle. This excitement came from me. LIke all us Canadians who remember our first part-time jobs (mine was at a McDonalds), I regaled my son in stories of that first part-time job. How much I learned from it, and the so many benefits it would have for me as I got older. He listened, and couldn't wait to turn 16. Also, like most parents, I raised him on the benefits of working hard in school, getting good grades, learning, getting involved, etc. Do these things son, and you will have a good future. He listened. Honours student all his life. Played on school teams. Performed in talent shows, Volunteered his time, etc., etc. Not a bad resume for a first time teen seeking a job. It is now heading into September. He has applied at all the traditional teen job hotspots, (all the fast food joints, grocery stores, drug stores, etc). Dozens of resumes, online and in-person applications. Not a single response. Then I walk into the local Burger King. Not a single Caucasian, Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, or Far Eastern employee. All East Indian (or Pakistani). Suddenly I am really noticing this trend everywhere, especially in the franchise fast food industry; especially upsetting when I even see it in a Harvey's (even more Canadian than Timmies). It's either East Indians or Arabs. I don't know for how long I have been hearing about diversity and fair hiring practices (which I have always supported); but to see this trend makes me furious. Are the owners of these franchise exempt from fair hiring practices? Are they not taught we are a diverse country? This is wrong. I want to finish with two sad situations which we should all be concerned about. When my eldest was looking for part-time work after the pandemic, he walked into a Mr. Submarine. He asked if he could leave his resume or fill out an application. The Arab cashier told him in broken English they were not hiring. As he was walking out, a young Arab man walked in. He approached the same cashier and asked for an application. She gave him one. WTF. My last comment, is the most concerning of all. My 16 year old, who works so hard at school, and at everything he does, recently commented, after yet another non-reply after handing out a slew of resumes, "Dad... what's the use of working so hard if I can't even get a job at McDonalds." I wonder how many other Canadian teens are feeling the same way. Not just white teens. Black, Hispanic, Indigenous and East Asian teens. Seems the broken English East Indian and Arab teens and young adults aren't asking themselves that. How long until my son thinks I am just spewing BS about this hard work thing? This is not about racism. This is about fair hiring practices, especially in more and more franchises; however, I do find myself listening to more and more of these videos, and find myself developing sucb negative feelings towards these two cultures. This is not Canadian. To be thinking this way, especially, is not Canadian. What do we do? Speak up, and we are racist. Stay quiet, and our teen kids move into adulthood without job experience, money put away, or just having a life experience that any of us over 30 (no matter our race) experienced. Something has to change; but I haven't a clue how to do that.

7:49 Agreed, ?. As a Canadian, while I don't necessarily care if you're having issues speaking English...\n I do have an issue with people in customer service, being of an Indian background, and actively not attempting to speak English... that is not customer service, especially inan Anglo-Saxon world... My Grandmother, indigenous to this continent, had to learn English or die, while Indians have it easy, made my grandmother's experiences in residential school seem like easy mode, while these Indians had is easy... it makes the genocide of my people seem all the more disrespected by immigrants...

Comments from a Canadian. Homeless people are generally concentrated in the larger cities but in the past few years it has become a real problem. It is a real problem for the people when the temperature drops to -30C. Mental wellness is a huge issue. The racism issue is mainly against the indigenous. The doctor migration to the US is a money thing, not better conditions. Getting a family doctor is easy in some places and difficult in others, generally in rural communities. Getting a reference to a specialist is not an issue and I believe this may be a doctor specific issue. If your GP does not refer you, ER will take care of you. The issue with referrals is the triage system that may result in a longer wait to see the specialist. This is in contrast to the US where one can see a specialist very quickly, if one has insurance. In Canada, every citizen and legal resident has the ability to receive medical care as covered by the provincial medical systems which differs from province to province. Many doctors are now offering online communication with your GP and specialist. Your finance comments are inaccurate. There are 5 nation wide banks but there are also nation wide credit unions and provincial banks which in my opinion these tend to offer better service than the big 5 (exclude National Bank, which is big bank but more investment focused). Cell carrier monopolies is a real issue. Cell carriers are recently offering unlimited data, no long distance to the US, etc. Other countries have a definite advantage here. The government has enabled conditions for a new carrier a few times but eventually, these smaller carriers get swallowed up by the big national carriers. More recently Rogers bought out Shaw which limits our choices further. Sales tax is not always 10-15%. In Alberta the sales tax is 5%. Passing courses and evaluations ensures there are standards which is a good thing. Would you want a Civil Engineer designing a road or bridge that is not suitable for the climate? How about a doctor with questionable credentials? Agree with your recommendations for hiring. It is expensive to hire and train a new employee but can be much more expensive to fire an employee. Agree with the housing crisis comments and the reasons. Getting an absent owner to fix a property? This is crazy inaccurate. Multi-dwelling properties have property managers paid to look after the properties regardless of who owns it. While on the average, foreign investment may not seem to contribute to property prices, this is not the case when looking a the local sectors of the big two - Toronto and Vancouver. There was a case in Vancouver where a property with a shack sold for over $1MM. This is not because the house price was unrealistic, but because of the property location and perceived property value. This is a direct result of foreign investment in houses in the Vancouver area resulting in a lack of properties. Many of these foreign owned single family investment properties remain empty most of the year. Another big issue in many Canadian municipalities is the lack of building code enforcement. The laws are in place but not always enforced.

To me, a democratic society is an equal and just society for each and every citizen. Freedom is where every citizen has all their civil rights in that democratic society. This means we should be valued and treated equally under every circumstance.\n\nI'm a Canadian and I can see we are not doing that by over-policing black and indigenous communities, by denying indigenous communities the ability to participate in Canadian society with their own culture in tact and by our biases about people with other ethnicities, like Asians and East and West Indians.\n\nWe may not be bad as the US, but we are still doing these things. It needs to be addressed and rectified if we ever want to be a truly self-aware, equal and just democratic society for every citizen.\n\nRegardless of the political party we support, I can't fathom why every citizen would not want an equal and just democratic society for themselves and their fellow citizens, as it improves everyone's lives.